WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio – Westfield Group has been named one of North America’s Top Small to Mid-size Companies for Leaders by Hewitt Associates.  The insurance, banking and financial services group of businesses is one of three North American companies to receive the award.  Recipients were formally announced on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007.

Hewitt Associates conducted the leadership study in partnership with The RBL Group and FORTUNE magazine and selected the Top Companies for Leaders through an independent panel of judges.  Companies were evaluated on criteria including leadership practices, company reputation, leadership culture and values and business performance.

"Currently, Westfield’s number one corporate goal is to recruit, develop, empower and retain quality people," says Bob Joyce, chairman and CEO of Westfield Group.  "Our leadership development and succession planning efforts tie directly to this goal."

Westfield Group’s leadership development and succession planning programs, implemented during the last six years, incorporate personal employee development plans into the everyday operations of the businesses.  These programs allow Westfield Group to devote resources, including time with senior level executives, to employees who demonstrate potential for future corporate leadership.

About the Study
Hewitt, The RBL Group and FORTUNE utilized a three-step screening process to identify the finalist companies.  This included assessing survey responses, conducting in-depth interviews and analyzing financial performance in relation to industry.  This information was then provided to a panel of expert judges in four regions to select and rank a 2007 Top Companies for Leaders list in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Laurel Miltner
216.925.5479
laurel@pr2020.com

Terri Grimm
330-887-6055
TerriGrimm@westfieldgrp.com

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